On Tuesday, a St. James Parish Jury found 56-year-old Michael Kenard of 2195 Railroad St. Lutcher, LA, guilty of Failure to Notify Law Enforcement (Sex Offender Violation). Kenard was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Adam Koenig, and presiding over this matter is the Honorable Judge John Smith. 

         On July 10, 2025, while conducting address verification checks of registers sex offenders, St. James Parish Sheriff’s Deputies attempted to make contact with Michael Kenard at the address he provided to law enforcement for purposes of sex offender registration. Kenard, who has a conviction for sexual battery, was required to keep up with his sex offender registration. Deputies observed that the residence at the address provided had no electricity, was damaged, and there were no signs of anyone residing inside. Deputies were able to confirm where Kenard was residing and obtained an arrest warrant. Kenard was arrested and booked into the St. James Parish Jail. 

         Upon the jury returning a guilty verdict in this matter, sentencing was deferred to a later date pending a Pre-Sentence Investigation. Kenard faces between 2 and 10 years in state prison. Sentencing is tentatively set for July 27, 2026. Kenard was granted and posted a post-conviction bond set by Judge Smith. Kenard remains on bond awaiting sentencing